Sustainability can be defined as the ability to be self maintained and self sustaining. Within the context of choosing suitable plants, trees, and turf for a landscape, it addresses the issue that people are depleting our biophysical resources at a faster rate than nature can restore these resources. The survival of humankind depends on the proliferation of plants and trees.[1] They create oxygen for people to breathe, provide food for herbivores, and prevent erosion or soils. The goal of promoting sustainability is to fill the need and provide beautification while minimize negative effects on the environment and as little maintenance as possible. The correct plants, trees, and turf must be selected for the right zone, be mostly free of pests, have low resource requirements, and be non-invasive in order to be successfully sustainable.[2]
Background and Improvements "Today, with widespread support for sustainability in the construction industry, much progress has been made in improving the environmental efficiency of buildings. So far, however, there’s been comparatively minimal focus on enhancing the sustainability of the built landscapes and natural ecosystems that surround these buildings. The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) was launched to fill that void, and after nearly eight years, the initiative is making major progress in fulfilling its mission." (Towery 2013) SITES was established in 2005 in Austin, Texas by the combined efforts of the Sustainable Design and Development Professional Practice Network of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.[3] A committee of experts supervise the program and undertake a proactive approach to sustainability.[4]This initiative raises awareness of the need for sustainability, promotes a standard for all levels of a landscape project, and offers practical resources for constructors.[5] "By adopting sustainable practices that restore and enhance ecosystem services, SITES aims to not only protect and restore the natural environment, but also to enhance human health and well-being." (Towery 2013) Projects that follow the guidelines prescribed by SITES experts can gain SITES certification and recognition for their eco-effort.[6] Many improvements in protecting the longevity of the environment have been made possible by SITES.
Sustainable Landscaping Through Selection
Design
Plant, tree, and turf selection is the key to a self-sustaining landscape.[7] The overall design of what kind and where it is placed should be
Highlights of Sustainable Landscaping
"functional, cost efficient, visually pleasing, environmentally friendly, and maintainable".[8]Plants and trees that adapt well to prevalent conditions will need fewer resources.[9]What they need and what they have to offer must be considered. Temperature, moisture, and amount of available sunlight (including time of day sunlight is received) needed to succeed vary depending on the plant or tree.[10] Knowing the zone or micro-habitat can help identify which growth would be most advantageous with respect to hardiness, rainfall distribution, humidity, and soil characteristics.[11]
submerged, aquatic, with soil that is never exposed
Native
Native plants, trees, and grass often are the best to use. They are less likely to be diseased or infested with insects and are acclimated to the local conditions.[13] Native growth is often much more hardy than plants brought from other regions and caters to naturally localized good insects and birds. However, positioning still must be considered for optimization.
Plants Shrubs, bushes, flowers, vines, and many other kinds of plants provide beauty and attract both people and animals. Ones adaptable to the region must also me considered for pruning needs, invasiveness, and growing space.[14]
Tree blocking heat
Trees
Tree allowing some sun rays through
Trees often define space; because of their size, they are the major plant structure.[15] Trees can be placed to provide protection from wind, sun, sound and prying eyes. Homeowners can conserve energy by planting deciduous trees on the south side of their houses. In the summer the full, leafy branches block the intensity of the sun, and in the winter the lack of leaves allow the sun rays to penetrate the bare branches and heat the house.[16] Allowing for enough growing space for trees is very important because of their size differential potential.[17]
Turf
Turf that requires irrigation should be used as little as possible.[18] If erosion is a problem in an area, grass with great holding roots can be planted to hold soil from getting washed into low areas. In places where turf is difficult to grow without considerable inputs of water and fertilizer it can be replaced with another form of ground cover.[19]
Advantages The benefits of selecting appropriate plants, trees, and turf are numerous. Depending on the land form and topographical features of an area, these selections can be used to:
prevent erosion
preserve water quality by the limited quantity of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers required to maintain the area
decrease water runoff from rainfall, creating better absorption into the soil
remove plant nutrients from bodies of water that would otherwise be considered contaminants
attract birds and helpful insects that live in and feed off the plants and trees
stimulate natural habitat by encouraging the survival of natural animals with the use of natural plants, trees, and grass
increased property value from the beauty of the natural variety of growth, coincidental animal activity, and socially attractive environmental friendliness
decrease required time, energy, and money spent on maintenance as a result of the self sufficiency of the growth[20]
Disadvantages
There are very few negative aspects to establishing a sustainable landscape through good plant, tree and turf selections.The process of planning for sustainability requires extra time than selecting on the premise of convenience, and the choices made may cost more.
Construction Application
Every construction project has a larger footprint than the one of the project objective. The surrounding area is disturbed by traffic and materials because of the need for access. Restoration is part of the construction process.[21] From the beginning phase of the project, designers and architects participate in planning and plant selection.[22] The general procedure includes:
obtaining permits an locating underground utilities
destroying weeds on site
controlling perennial weed roots
identifying drainage issues
constructing project structures
making soil alterations
installing borders and planting areas
installing necessary irrigation
planting
An example of a construction project that is "an example of sustainable construction" is the Olympic Park in London by the ODA.[23] The success of biodiversity and ecology within the project was published in a "Sustainable Design and Construction Update".
During Construction of the Aquatic Center
Recent Research
A wide variety of research is being done in the area of botany and how it can improve sustainability. A few are mentioned here. It has been found that turf sequesters carbon, keeping 80-90% in the soil. Studies have been done on fire retarded plants and their feasibility. Research continues on erosion control on steep banks and slopes. Australians are looking into the reduction of hand weeding by using Prodiamine. It has been found recently that green roofs are low maintenance and feasible. The drought tolerance of plants is being measured for application in affected areas.
^Adams, W.M. (2006). "The Future of Sustainability, Re-thinking Environment and Development in the Twenty-first Century." Report of the IUCN Renowned Thinkers Meeting, 29–31 January 2006.
<http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/iucn_future_of_sustanability.pdf> (December 1, 2013).
Introduction
Sustainability can be defined as the ability to be self maintained and self sustaining. Within the context of choosing suitable plants, trees, and turf for a landscape, it addresses the issue that people are depleting our biophysical resources at a faster rate than nature can restore these resources. The survival of humankind depends on the proliferation of plants and trees.[1] They create oxygen for people to breathe, provide food for herbivores, and prevent erosion or soils. The goal of promoting sustainability is to fill the need and provide beautification while minimize negative effects on the environment and as little maintenance as possible. The correct plants, trees, and turf must be selected for the right zone, be mostly free of pests, have low resource requirements, and be non-invasive in order to be successfully sustainable.[2]
Background and Improvements
"Today, with widespread support for sustainability in the construction industry, much progress has been made in improving the environmental efficiency of buildings. So far, however, there’s been comparatively minimal focus on enhancing the sustainability of the built landscapes and natural ecosystems that surround these buildings. The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) was launched to fill that void, and after nearly eight years, the initiative is making major progress in fulfilling its mission." (Towery 2013) SITES was established in 2005 in Austin, Texas by the combined efforts of the Sustainable Design and Development Professional Practice Network of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.[3] A committee of experts supervise the program and undertake a proactive approach to sustainability.[4] This initiative raises awareness of the need for sustainability, promotes a standard for all levels of a landscape project, and offers practical resources for constructors.[5] "By adopting sustainable practices that restore and enhance ecosystem services, SITES aims to not only protect and restore the natural environment, but also to enhance human health and well-being." (Towery 2013) Projects that follow the guidelines prescribed by SITES experts can gain SITES certification and recognition for their eco-effort.[6] Many improvements in protecting the longevity of the environment have been made possible by SITES.
Sustainable Landscaping Through Selection
Design
Plant, tree, and turf selection is the key to a self-sustaining landscape.[7] The overall design of what kind and where it is placed should be
Native
Native plants, trees, and grass often are the best to use. They are less likely to be diseased or infested with insects and are acclimated to the local conditions.[13] Native growth is often much more hardy than plants brought from other regions and caters to naturally localized good insects and birds. However, positioning still must be considered for optimization.Plants
Shrubs, bushes, flowers, vines, and many other kinds of plants provide beauty and attract both people and animals. Ones adaptable to the region must also me considered for pruning needs, invasiveness, and growing space.[14]
Turf
Turf that requires irrigation should be used as little as possible.[18] If erosion is a problem in an area, grass with great holding roots can be planted to hold soil from getting washed into low areas. In places where turf is difficult to grow without considerable inputs of water and fertilizer it can be replaced with another form of ground cover.[19]Advantages
The benefits of selecting appropriate plants, trees, and turf are numerous. Depending on the land form and topographical features of an area, these selections can be used to:
Disadvantages
There are very few negative aspects to establishing a sustainable landscape through good plant, tree and turf selections.The process of planning for sustainability requires extra time than selecting on the premise of convenience, and the choices made may cost more.
Construction Application
Every construction project has a larger footprint than the one of the project objective. The surrounding area is disturbed by traffic and materials because of the need for access. Restoration is part of the construction process.[21] From the beginning phase of the project, designers and architects participate in planning and plant selection.[22] The general procedure includes:
- obtaining permits an locating underground utilities
- destroying weeds on site
- controlling perennial weed roots
- identifying drainage issues
- constructing project structures
- making soil alterations
- installing borders and planting areas
- installing necessary irrigation
- planting
An example of a construction project that is "an example of sustainable construction" is the Olympic Park in London by the ODA.[23] The success of biodiversity and ecology within the project was published in a "Sustainable Design and Construction Update".Recent Research
A wide variety of research is being done in the area of botany and how it can improve sustainability. A few are mentioned here. It has been found that turf sequesters carbon, keeping 80-90% in the soil. Studies have been done on fire retarded plants and their feasibility. Research continues on erosion control on steep banks and slopes. Australians are looking into the reduction of hand weeding by using Prodiamine. It has been found recently that green roofs are low maintenance and feasible. The drought tolerance of plants is being measured for application in affected areas.
<http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/iucn_future_of_sustanability.pdf> (December 1, 2013).
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19603/ec1534.pdf> (December 1, 2013)
(2013). "History". The Sustainable Sites Initiative. <http://www.sustainablesites.org/about/> (December 2,2013).
<http://www.ownersperspective.org/item/444-the-quest-for-greener-landscapes-the-evolution-of-the-sustainable-sites-initiative> (December 1, 2013)
<http://www.ownersperspective.org/item/444-the-quest-for-greener-landscapes-the-evolution-of-the-sustainable-sites-initiative> (December 1, 2013)
VanDerZanden, A.M. and McNeilan. J. (2001). "Plant Selection for Sustainable Lanscapes." Oregon State University,
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19603/ec1534.pdf> (December 1, 2013)
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19603/ec1534.pdf> (December 1, 2013)
VanDerZanden, A.M. and McNeilan. J. (2001). "Plant Selection for Sustainable Lanscapes." Oregon State University,
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19603/ec1534.pdf> (December 1, 2013)
VanDerZanden, A.M. and McNeilan. J. (2001). "Plant Selection for Sustainable Lanscapes." Oregon State University,
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19603/ec1534.pdf> (December 1, 2013)
Klett, J.E. (2013). "Sustainable Landscaping." Colorado State University Extension, <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07243.html> (December 3, 2013).
Klett, J.E. (2013). "Sustainable Landscaping." Colorado State University Extension, <http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07243.html> (December 3, 2013).
VanDerZanden, A.M. and McNeilan. J. (2001). "Plant Selection for Sustainable Lanscapes." Oregon State University,
<http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/19603/ec1534.pdf> (December 1, 2013)
(2013). "Environment." KBR, <http://www.kbr.com/Social-Responsibility/Environment/> (December 3, 2013).
(2012). "Sustainabilty in Construction." Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, <http://www.cslondon.org/sustainable-games/sustainability-in-construction/> (December 4, 2013).